Support groups

Asian Fire Service Association (AFSA)

Asian Fire Service Association, a National group which provides:

  • support and networking for Asian employees across the Fire Service nationally;
  • information, guidance and training for Brigades; and
  • support for good employment and service delivery practice.

Balbir Singh

AFSA Treasures
7 Longdon Drive,
Four Oaks,
Sutton Coldfield, B74 4RF

Email: afsafrs@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.afsa.co.uk

Equality Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission are a statutory body that has the responsibility to protect, enforce and promote equality across the seven "protected" grounds - age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

But the heart of the Commission's mission, our integrated mandate, means that they will act across all the areas for which they are responsible, promoting fairness through structural change that benefits the 60 million people in Britain. They are always be ready to tackle the specific issues of discrimination, inequality and human rights failings that matter to each of the protected groups they are concerned with.

Contact details: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com

Fire Brigades Union

The FBU represents over 85% of the uniformed staff of the UK fire and service. Our members are frontline public services workers – covering the roles of Firefighter to Area Manager, including emergency fIre control staff and Firefighters working the retained duty system.

Contact details: http://www.fbu.org.uk

Fire Brigades Union LGBT

The trade union movement represents ALL working people, regardless of their sex, race, religious belief, sexuality or disability.

The group was set up by gay and lesbian firefighters who are 'out' in the workplace and felt they were in a position to help others within the UK fire service. Within the group's ten year existence, they have achieved official recognition with the FBU, as well as representing the FBU in forums which were once untouched. They also have an extensive network to support and advise (LGBT) lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual members (firefighters, officers and control staff) who may feel isolated or harassed.

The group is run on a strictly confidential basis and accepts the rules, constitution and democracy of the Fire Brigades Union.

Contact details: https://www.fbu.org.uk/lgbt

Fire Officers Association (FOA)

The Fire Officers Association is an independent voice for Fire and Rescue Service Managers. The success and direction of an organisation must originate from its members. They will consult you to ensure they reflect and represent your views. If confrontation is at the forefront of an agenda, real progress and benefits will not materialise. To provide the best representation for its members an organisation must provide help, assistance and guidance for them, whatever their problem or difficulty. They do not select the issues they will represent you on: you do. The membership is open to all United Kingdom Fire and Rescue Service employees.

Contact Details: http://www.fireofficers.org.uk

Women in the Fire Service (WFS)

Formally known as Networking Women in the Fire Service, WFS was formed in 1993. WFS was established as a self-help group for women in the Fire and Rescue Service. Over the past 25 years, WFS has sought to influence the equality agenda, engaging with the major players in order to have the voice of all women in the Fire and Rescue Service heard.

WFS is an independent voluntary group of people who aim to contribute to making the Fire and Rescue Service a place where women and men can work together harmoniously and professionally.

Contact Details: https://wfs.org.uk/

Rainbow Film Festival

The Rainbow Film Festival places Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans lives at the heart of Shropshire's entertainment programme. Their aim is to entertain, educate, challenge and change;

  • Entertain - through an annual programme of film and one off events - we want our audiences to experience the pride of lesbians, gay men, bisexual & trans people;
  • Educate - with stories from all over the globe, we portray a range of experiences, offering fascinating insights into other worlds;
  • Challenge - questioning complacency and raising awareness of the different issues faced by lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people - not all of our films are comfortable watching;
  • Change - how others perceive and behave towards us and how we feel about ourselves

Contact details: http://www.rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk/

Fire and Rescue Services Association (FRSA)

The Fire and Rescue Services Association (FRSA) represents serving personnel within the Retained Duty System (RDS). FRSA was formed in 1976 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. We have one aim and that is to serve our members, manage their expectations, and provide national and local representation, general support and advice on any issue relating to their fire service duties including primary employment.

FRSA is an independent trade union under the Trade Union & Labour Relations Act 1992. We have no political affiliation and therefore all monies from union subscriptions are ploughed back into maintaining a first class value for money service which protects our members 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Contact details: https://www.frsa.org.uk/

Shropshire Disability Network (SDN)

It was formed in May 2008 to provide a friendly and supportive network for people with disabilities, their families and carers throughout Shropshire (including Telford and Wrekin). SDN has some ambitious aspirations, but recognize that it will take time and patience to achieve them all. To work with people and organisations throughout the UK, to achieve maximum benefit for individuals with disability their families and carers throughout Shropshire.

Contact details: Hartshorn, Publicity Officer, 01743 340 832, www.shropshire-disability.net

Stonewall

Stonewall is a lesbian, gay and bisexual rights charity in the United Kingdom which is named after the Stonewall Inn of Stonewall riots fame. Now the largest gay equality organisation not only in the UK but in Europe. Although Stonewall is a lobbying organisation rather than membership organisation, it has diversified into policy development for the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people after Labour came to power in 1997.

Contact details: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/

UNISON

Unison is Britain's biggest trade union with more than 1.3 million members. UNISON is a powerful voice for working people in Britain. In the workplace, through our campaigning work and in our in input to decision-making inside the Labour Party, the union expresses the democratically agreed views of members.

Contact Details: http://unison.org.uk

Further Information

Natalie Parkinson - Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer

Address: Brigade Headquarters, St Michael's St, Shrewsbury, SY1 2HJ.

Telephone: 01743 260 236

Email: natalie.parkinson@shropshirefire.gov.uk